Krups F054 Anticalc Lime Descaller Kit

I bought the descaller (is it really spelled that way?) for my ancient Krups Il Primo espresso machine. No instructions came in the box. It took forever to get any help from Krups and then the instructions were for much fancier machines.

So here's what I did:

Dissolve the packet in 500ml of water. I did half a packet because my machine could not hold all that much.

Pour a third of the mixture into the machine. Steam some of it and let the rest go through the coffee basket.

Do that again.

Then heat it up and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. And then expell the mixture.

I found "crud" in the basket. Next time I will check the basket after each round.

I then ran plain water through the machine several times. Maybe it wasn't necessary but it made me feel better.

Had a "dead" Krups expresso maker. Used this powder per the instructions and machine started percolating like new. If you have a sluggish or non-percolating machine, use it before going out to buy a new one.

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I bought this for my Krups coffee maker. It doesn't come with instructions so I followed the instructions that a previous reviewer had written and it worked fine. I ran it through the cycle twice and then ran clean water through twice, and it did the job.

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My neighbor was giving her Krups cappuccino maker to charity and I asked if I could have it. She said that it didn't work because the water no longer came out, and she had tried to clean it and nothing worked. She gave it to me and I ordered this product. I followed the directions for the coffee maker I found online and ran the cycle once with the descaller and three times after with just water. Now it works great. I haven't decided if I should tell my neighbor or not!

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it unclogged my coffee maker in minutes. the only thing is that it doesn't include clear instructions luckily instructions on how to use it came with my coffee maker. works great!

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with zippered nylon tote bag and an Extra 350 Micro Filters (70

This is a great coffee maker especially for someone like me who wants to make only 1 mug at a time. I've tried all different kinds of coffee makers, but they don't seem to be optimized for making a single ~8 oz mug of coffee. I always ended up brewing multiple cups of coffee and throwing the extra away to get the one good cup I wanted.

I got this aeropress for Christmas 2006 and it is great. I followed the initial instructions, but preferred my coffee a bit different. So, I experimented with grind, water temperature, amount of coffee/water, etc., until I found the right combination for *my* personal preference. I use this to make a cup of coffee, not espresso (that is, I add water to the result to get "regular" coffee), so I can't comment on the quality of espresso taste. I have noticed that coffee beans/grind from different sources have their own "sweet spots" for best grind and coffee/water quantity to get the taste I prefer. So, now that I know how I like to brew a couple different types, I try to stick with those so that I don't have to go through the experimenting stage needed if I try a completely new coffee bean/grind. That works for me. This coffee tastes great. :)

Oh, I should mention that I have also used french press coffee makers. I really like the taste of french press coffee, but got sick of the grinds and/or sediment that always ends up in the bottom of the coffee and made the bottom of the cup taste gross. True to its advertising, the aeropress doesn't seem to leave grinds or sediment. I sip my cup kind of slowly and end up zapping it in the microwave to heat it up again several times. The coffee does not get bitter from sitting in my mug because there is not coffee grind sediment soaking at the bottom. That is a huge plus for me!

A few folks mentioned that the plunger can be hard to press. I have to agree. I've had 2 shoulder surgeries and it does take some extra effort to manage to push the plunger straight down. I can still do it, although I only have 2 scoops of coffee grind in at a time. I think it would be extremely difficult to press with too much coffee in it.

All this time of daily use, including travel, and there are no problems, no parts wearing out from stress, no cracks in the plastic. It still looks like new.

I donated my drip coffee machine, french press and espresso machine to Goodwill. :)

PS I noticed the aeropress is available via third party vendor and Amazon. I can't comment on the vendor, as I put it on my wishlist for Xmas and got it as a gift. I noticed there are separate reviews for each device/vendor, so will post my review under each.

I may try a video review of this later because I think this is hands down one of the greatest ways to make a single cup of coffee.

I bought this because I was tired of the coffee at the office giving me heartburn and generally making me want to immolate myself every time I drank another cup.

There are some things about the AeroPress that blow my mind.

1) The coffee is outstanding; better than MoreBucks and definitely a lot more affordable and convenient.

2) Cleanup is very easy

3) You feel like a cubicle alchemist which is always a good thing.

4) You can customize you level of flavor/density very easily.

The process for me is pretty cool. Check it out.

(I bring in espresso ground coffee from home but you can use regular grind if you like a lighter brew)

1) Fill my cup with hot water from the filter (or whatever; can't say I recommend regular tap water as you want it about 170 degrees)

2) Put a filter on the endcap and add a scoop of coffee

3) Put the AeroPress on my second cup (or I suppose if you like you could bring the whole contraption over to your water source and skip the 1st step)

4) Pour water in and mix; some coffee will begin draining right away depending on how fine a grind you're using.

5) Attach the press and press down slowly

6) Over a trashcan remove the endcap and press out the 'puck'

Enjoy the coffee. If it's too strong, add more hot water for "Americana Style". No cleanup is really needed. No kidding. Just pure, concentrated awesome.

It's better coffee than a French Press and way, way, WAY easier to clean.

Can you tell I'm excited. Aerobie. The flying disk people. Crazy, but it's true.

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Ok...I read all the reviews and was expecting a good cup of coffee. But, this thing makes a GREAT cup of coffee! Smooth, rich and not a trace of bitterness.

As a long time Keurig user, I was very used to having a decent cup of coffee in under a minute (if it was always left turned on and filled with water). The Aero Press does takes longer, having to use the microwave to heat the water.

Then, I purchased an electric kettle to make the process easier. Oh man, what difference! I can make a double espresso in under 2 minutes, which includes heating the water (that kettle is FAST), assembling the Aero Press and pressing the coffee through! If I want a regular cup of coffee, I just add more boiling water to the espresso (which is great as it gets nice and hot now).

My expensive Keurig brewer has now been decommissioned.

My suggestion: Buy the Aero Press, and get a cheap electric kettle to save some time.

Great product!

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As you can tell from the other reviews, the aeropress is awesome! My video covers some of the features and process in making a cup.

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I started home roasting coffee about a year ago and was looking for a way to make coffee when I'm away from the house. There are several things that make a good cup of coffee: good beans, a good even grind, proper extraction time, and proper water temperature. What's nice about the Aeropress is that you can control all of these to produce an excellent cup. All of these factors contribute to the final cup of coffee. This product won't make bad coffee taste good, but it will help you make the most of what you have.

The included directions instruct you to use water that is a bit colder than a typical coffee infusion at 170F. Traditional pour-over methods usually are around 200F. I've tried both temperatures and find it easier to use at 200F because water comes to a boil at around 203F where I live and I don't have to wait for it to cool. There are plenty of web tutorials with pictures and video of how to use this product.

Despite the product description, it does not make a true espresso as other reviews have mentioned. It does make a concentrated dose of coffee and you can add water to make it closer to what typical drip coffee produces. In terms of taste, I find that usually a trace amount of sediment gets through usually, but not nearly as much as done with a French press. The paper filter sits at the bottom and I find that rinsing it before adding the grounds helps reduce paper taste and reduces the amount of grounds that gets through. It looks a bit like lab equipment, but does a great job at what it does. It is made with a thick plastic and is not not flimsy. Mine came with a nylon tote bag which I thought was neat, but it is in my opinion too large.

I am a grad student and this makes it easy to make a cup of coffee while out studying. It is easy to clean and is small and light enough to throw in my backpack for when I want coffee and don't want to pay several dollars at a coffee shop. I wouldn't recommend the Aeropress for serving a large group of people as it only makes at most 16-24oz of coffee at a time depending on how much water you add to it. It is good for single serving use and is very convenient. I also find that since it makes a concentrated coffee, it is great for making iced coffee at home. It should be noted that this uses a non-traditional paper filter size and may be difficult to find in a traditional brick and mortar store. I've heard some people just cut them out themselves from larger filters. I'm a bit lazy and just ordered extras. Hope this helps.

Nuova Simonelli Oscar Pour Over Espresso Coffee Machine

I have this machine Sinne 2 years. It is absolutely Great. I did so my homework before investing into such an extensive machineand i Never regretted my Decission.

The machine has 2 water cicles. Therefor no anoying waiting until the water is hot enough after the first brewing/ steaming for the 2nd step.

Further is this a semi professional machine which means the porta filter has the same measurements than a professional machine.

I also like to point out, that the pressure of this machine is great! Sure, a machine in a café.is more effective, but those are not available for 1000 bucks! This one is absolutely sufficient for all kinds of milk. If you are not sure how to texturise milk I suggest you look it up on you tube to avoid disappointment caused by the operator.

While cleaning the machine I guess I let the pressure build up a little much, or maybe after two years the Teflon tubes are getting weaker, however one needed to be replaced and now I am back to barristering. ;-)

If you want a machine that makes reliably great coffee like you get at you local barrister this is the one!

Get a decent coffee grinder while you are at it.

And be sure to get decent coffee beans!

The only downer : large glasses and most coffee mugs do not fit under the porter filter.

Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

I have owned the AeroPress for over two years and, judging by the number of filters I have used so far, I have brewed about 600 cups of coffee with it. It has become an essential part of my daily routine. It is fast, easy, and the grounds just pop out into the trash or compost. But all this has already been covered in these reviews. Here are a few additional points worth considering:

-It can brew a few cups of coffee in just a few minutes and make each cup as weak or as strong as my guest wants.

-If you are expecting the coffee to taste like espresso or like French-pressed coffee, remember that the AeroPress uses a paper filter. It filters out much of the oil that would otherwise be present. I prefer my coffee this way but others may not. Think of it as the best drip coffee maker in the world.

-Unlike an espresso machine or a French press, you can grind the coffee in a basic blade grinder because a consistent grind isn't necessary. In a French press, your coffee will have too much silt and the bottom of your cup will be sludge.

-With a little practice, you'll soon be able to customize your coffee exactly how you like it. Adjust acidity with water temperature and steep time. Adjust strength with the grind and the coffee-to-water ratio.

-When I lost a piece of my AeroPress, Aerobie sent me a replacement for just a couple of dollars. They were easy to contact, helpful, and friendly. This is a great product made by an excellent little company.

This is the first time I've decided to review a product online. If you found this helpful, click the little box below. And if there is anything else you'd like to know, please click "comment" and ask me.

I did many hours of research into coffee makers before deciding on an Aeropress. I learned that several factors influence the coffee you end up with: the temperature of the water, the way the water mixes with the coffee, and how the coffee is extracted from the grounds. I found it difficult to find knowledgeable reviews of the various coffee machines, so I decided to take control of my coffee preparation. The aeropress allows you to control how hot the water is and how long you let it mix with the coffee.

The whole coffee making process is explained in the products instructions.

1. Insert a filter and some coffee into the unit. A coffee scoop and some filters are included with the aeropress, they recommend 1 scoop of coffee per cup.

2. Heat the right amount of water. Markers are printed on the side of the Aeropress to show the recommended amount of water for between 1 and 4 (the maximum) espresso shots. The manufacturers recommend water between 75 and 80 degrees. I don't know if this is correct, because I don't have a thermometer in the kitchen, and in any case, I'm not going to stick a thermometer in water to get it to a precise temperature. I boil water in my kettle and let the water sit for a set time before use. Alternatively, you could microwave the water for a set time. A bit of experimentation and you'll find how hot you like the water. I agree with Aeropress that boiling hot water extracts unpleasant flavors.

3. Mix the water with the grounds. The grounds are immersed in water, much like in a french press, but the manufacturers recommend letting the water sit for no more than about 10 seconds. I find that this is about right, but you can experiment and decide for yourself.

4. Insert the plunger and push the water out of the Aeropress. You press the plunger down so that it extracts the water from the grounds over about 20 seconds. The Aeropress needs to be on a strong and stable container, such as a mug, for this part of the process. Pressing the plunger requires a bit of strength if you are making more than one espresso shot. You'll need to press down for about 20 seconds.

5. Drink up, or dilute the espresso shot(s) for American coffee or mix them for cappuccino, or whatever.

I am very happy with the Aeropress. It makes great tasting coffee. It's easy to clean and inexpensive. In my opinion the aeropress is superior to french press or manual drip percolator coffee. It is not as convenient as a machine but I'm willing to spend the effort for good coffee.

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***Update 3/15/11*** It's been over 4 years, and I still use this coffee maker every single day. I'm STILL on my first packet of filters, and still in love. I rinse the filters out and reuse once or twice per filter. And no, I haven't flipped it over. Yet.

As a certified coffee snob, I thought it didn't get better than french press. Fugetaboudit! The Aeropress renders a sweet, flavorful, impeccable Americano every time that will change your expectations forever. I have a drip coffee machine, a french press and a Krups espresso maker, and they are all officially retired thanks to the Aeropress.

I can't say enough about the results, but note that the Aerobie is more time-consuming to use than either french press or drip coffee makers, more comparable to espresso makers. Well worth it, mind you, but NOT as quick and painless as the manufacturer would have you believe. This product makes espresso by forcing air through the grounds using a syringe-type plunger. You must put in a filter, add the grounds, measure out the precise amount of water, add water and stir. You then have to place the Aeropress on top of a cup to use it, exert a pretty good amount of force, and then, if you're making two or more cups, divy the espresso up into other containers and add water or milk, if you want. So far I haven't done it, but I think it would be really easy to push too hard, flip over the cup, and spray espresso everywhere.

Still, greatest coffee ever, no competition. If you want the best, you gotta put in the time.

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Coffee is one of those things that are highly subjective, coffee snobs and everyday coffee drinkers cannot even agree on what is "good" coffee. It comes down to preference and the Aeropress is great at making a clean cup but still retain some flavor. It cannot make Espresso and it cannot make french pressed coffee. It is regular filtered coffee, whether you hand pour it, machine brew it or push it through a tube, it is plain old filtered coffee. Because of the filter, it cannot make the other kinds of coffee, it can only adjust the strength of the brew.

That being said, the Aeropress is a great filter coffee maker because it gives the user more control than most other systems. You control the temperature, the brew time, the grind and the proportions. Just like a french press, you have full control of all of these things. This allows you to brew coffee in different strengths, although I still recommend using the standard rules of coffee brewing. The point is to extract the exact amount of flavor out of the grinds and everyone has their own opinion of what that means. The standard method is to use 1 table spoon of grinds per 2oz of water, water should be 190F, I prefer a medium grind to avoid extracting bitter/acidic flavors. Timing is the strange part about the Aeropress, with a hand pour method, a slow steady flow works best which takes about 3 to 4 minutes to complete. But with the Aeropress, the water is pushed through instead, so it seems to take about 15 30 seconds. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not, it's such a small window for error that I cannot tell whether I am doing it right or not. With other brewing methods, it is much slower so you can watch the grinds and the coffee come out and adjust as you brew. But with the Aeropress, it all happens at once and you get what you get. Still, it is consistent and probably good enough for most.

I must emphasize that the Aeropress does not make espresso or french press. Espresso is a mythical drink and to claim that an aeropress can make it is an insult. You probably cannot make decent espresso for less than $600.00. I know that's snob talk, but seriously, true espresso is amazingly hard to attain, which means you probably wouldn't even know what it tastes like. So to claim that this thing can make it, probably means you don't know what you're talking about. Oh it can make a strong shot of something that tastes like the espresso at starbucks... I'll leave it at that. As for french press, the filter used in the Aeropress is way too fine to let the oils and flavors through. It will filter out all the floral flavors, the honey flavors and all the really really good stuff in your coffee. This is why the aeropress is so consistent, if you filter out some of the oils and flavors, then many different coffees will taste alike. This is not a bad thing, it is what you want in a clean cup, no earthy, nutty, dirty flavors in every cup (not everyone likes these flavors).

What I don't like about the Aeropress is the mess. Everything is plastic which the coffee oils easily cling to. If it is not cleaned thoroughly after every use, grinds will start sticking to it and the parts get oily (which adds stale yucky flavors to your next cup), yuck. And for you bulk coffee buyers out there, the beans are especially oily on the outside. This means the inside of the bean is all dried out and you have no flavor in it. It also means that when you grind it, it will get really staticky and fly all over the place. Do yourselves a favor and shop for beans the way you would an orange, look for a bag that feels heavier than it looks, this means the beans are juicier on the inside. Good beans will grind much better, the oils won't stick to your gear and clean up will be much much much easier. Except for the Aeropress though, because the oils get extracted inside it. Now if they made a pyrex version of the Aeropress, that'd be mighty impressive.

Anyway, Aeropress is good. It's a quick/dirty way to a good, consistent cup of coffee. Requires more maintenance than preferable. The tube is not very big, so it will only make one mug of coffee at a time, heavy drinkers will not like this. Complaints about it requiring more grinds than other makers are not true, follow the standard brewing rules and all makers use the same amount of coffee (just because more stuff comes out does not mean it is making "more" coffee, just diluted/over brewed coffee). Now I'd be amazed if anyone read this review all the way through.

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Wow! Best cup of coffee I ever had. And so simple! The design is brilliant. I'm impressed with the quality of construction, ease of use, ease of cleanup, and the great taste. This is the end of all other methods of coffee production.

I fill the plunger to the appropriate mark with hot tap water and place it in the microwave for 20 seconds (the experimentally determined time to reach 175). While the water is heating I place a filter sheet in the cap, place it on the chamber, and add 1 scoop of coffee. With the chamber on top of my cup, I add the now hot water, stir, and press. Cleanup consists of ejecting the used coffee into the composting pot and rinsing the end of the plunger. Then I'm ready to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee.

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Kalorik 1000-Watt 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Maya

The most important item this machine makes GREAT coffee. I bought it because Consumer Reports noted it was one of the few that actually gets hot enough to make decent coffee, and they were right on. I have been using it for two pots of coffee every day for several months now, and I am very impressed with the quality of the coffee.

I bought the Maya simply because it was cheaper than the SS model when it got here, it was obvious why this thing is the most butt-ugly device I have ever seen! All the plastic on the body and the pot is a light liver brown color yeach! I'd spend the extra few bucks to get the SS version if I was doing it again.

Couple of stupid design flaws: The fill gap is much smaller than necessary not bad enough to whine about (I haven't spilled any water yet, but if you have the shakes, you might), but this useability flaw is really dumb because it gains nothing at all. The unit is roughly triangular in shape, with the front wide and the narrow point in the rear, so by designing it with the openings so narrow they gained absolutely nothing in either space savings or visual appeal. Oh well...

The second flaw is potentially worse if you do not pay attention. There is only one on/off button, as opposed to one for manual and one for timed program. When you manually shut the unit off, the first push of the button doesn't really turn it off, it turns ON the timed program! Must push it twice to get it turned completely off. Really REALLY dumb design, but once you know about it and get used to it, it is tolerable considering the great quality of the coffee.

The filter basket works perfectly I am happy it uses paper filters, 'cause I won't use any other kind! But I grind my coffee very fine, and on some other units I have had an occasional problem with the filter and thick grounds packing down on the drain some and backing up the water in the basket. That never happens on this one, even with the extra load of grounds in there for the second pot.

The last issue for comment is the pot and no-drip feature of the filter basket the pot is well designed and the spout allows for a reasonably fast pour without dribbling around the spout; I've seen better, but this one is acceptable. The no-drip valve in the basket actually works very well, preventing even the typical 1-2 drips when the pot is first removed while the coffee is still brewing. The only drawback is that the valve knob that engages the pot lid often makes it difficult to smoothly return the pot to the burner this hangs up a bit about half the time and requires a little wiggle of the pot to get it slid in place without sloshing the coffee.

Bottom line for me is that I do not think there is any other available 12-cup maker for under $50 that even comes close to this one for the quality of the coffee I wouldn't accept the flaws if it was closer to $100, where there are better options in that range, but at $50 it is a definite good buy.

I bought the Kalorik Maya at TJ Maxx for $39. This was about as high as I wanted to go for a 12 cup programmable coffeemaker. So far it is doing exactly what it should be doing. It is a no frills (except for the color) machine.

A couple of things I think could be improved:

1) Uses paper filters. Can Kalorik at least come up with a drop-in reusable filter for a coffeemaker in this price class?

2) Water tank opening is very narrow. Therefor Maya requires a steady hand to fill. Keep a dish cloth ready when you fill up this coffeemaker. Also; the machine is pretty tall. I am 6 ft, and have a medium height worksurface in the kitchen. If you are much shorter you probably have to use a step stool.

In short; it is a coffeemaker. It is basic with a programmable "on", and automatic "off" mechanism. $39 was reasonable. Anything over that and you are paying too much. Especially considering that it is Made in China, and and it definitely looks and feels like it too. It does come with a measuring scoop!

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I have had two Kalorik coffee makers and neither one of them lasted. The coffee is not hot enough and although it tastes good I don't like the idea that they don't last for longer than six months. This time I bought a Mr. Coffee. The coffee is hot and hopefully it will last longer than my Kalorick's did.

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This coffeemaker is a nice color, it looks good on my counter, it's not too tall (some of the other reviewers mentioned that it was too tall and they spilled some water)...I do make sure I add the water first because the water "opening" is a little narrow, so you could end up spilling some water into the coffee part. Not a big deal, but I prefer my coffee (before it's brewed) to be dry! I've had this coffeemaker for over 6 months and it's been great so far!!

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Off the bat I received this coffee maker with a broken carafe (not from amazon). Horrible customer service I originally contacted their customer service folks using their website. I was told that I needed to email them a "proof of purchase", which meant a receipt, to proceed with any damage reports. I responded with an email letting them know that it was a gift and I did not have a receipt. 3 months later, no response. I then tried to purchase another carafe off the internet somewhere but was unable to locate a seller. I submitted another complaint stating that I just want to buy another carafe and if this was not possible, please advise so that I can throw the coffee maker away. Finally a positive response, "just this once we will send out another carafe, free of charge". Yay, right?

The coffee maker worked great, great tasting coffee, kept it nice and hot. I used disposable filters and filtered water. Then after about 40 uses, nothing; the coffee maker just stopped. The lights are on, the timer and auto mode seems to work but there is just no heating going on from the element. Back to the internet, I learned that this is actually common. Didn't even bother to contact customer service this time, I just need my coffee.

Bottom Line Don't buy. Even if it does make great coffee when it works, how will you replace parts? And who needs a coffee maker that goes kaput? Try looking for a replacement carafe online and you'll see, they're just not out there. Go with a brand that has more accessible parts.

Good Luck and Happy Amazon Shopping :-)

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Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel

I've had this machine now 4 months. I've had many machines before it, including the ever popular DeLonghi. This is an amazing machine, but there are a few things to know.

1. All espresso machines, and even some coffee machines, need to be primed. If there is water in the tank, yet it's not pumping but making noise, chances are you just need to prime it. Turn the steam knob just like in the manual, and if it fails, try again. You only have to do this when you first get the machine, or if you some how let it run dry.

2. The specs list this as not coming with a tamper, that's only partially correct. It comes with a plastic scoop / tamper combo thang. Before you get too annoyed with it, I recommend ordering "RSVP Terry's Tamper" (probably advertised on the same page). It's less than 7 bucks, and the small side fits this machines portafilter perfectly.

3. Some reviewers have knocked this machine because the "Filter keeps getting clogged". Here's a news flash: All espresso filters will get clogged if your grinder leaves too many fines. You can get pre-ground espresso (I recommend LaVazza InBlu, or Illy), or you can get yourself a good grinder (doesn't need to be great, as long as it grinds *evenly*). If you accidentally grind too finely, this machine comes with pins to un-clog the filter. You can save a bit of time by just rubbing your thumb over the filter aggressively while running watter over it.

4. Noise. Without a doubt, this is the noisiest espresso machine I've ever owned. That said, I just purchased a Kurieg for my wife, and it is noisier and had even more trouble with it's initial priming. To the Kurieg's credit, there is no grind to mess with, and the clean up is Zero. :)

Now for the stuff that Hasn't been mentioned, but if I where Cuisinart, I'd be shouting this from the roof tops...

1. This machine has the most rock solid temperature across shots I've ever seen. Nothing else comes close.

2. This machine has integrated pressure relief. It's not perfect, which is probably why they didn't mention it, but even Gaggia's solenoid freaks out from time to time too. Most every other manufacture with this feature charge double this machines cost. It's a big deal.

3. I've been inside DeLonghis, Gaggias, and others, this thing is pretty well built. It also looks pretty nice on the outside, and has a water res that is easy to use, large enough, and above all else, leak free.

4. The steam wand works well. It actually works better than my Gaggia's (which was 4 *times* as much money), but it is Different, and takes some initial practice.

5. This machine has an auto power down. That's a Very Nice feature that is often overlooked on less expensive machines, and it's very handy too.

6. The dosing on this thing actually works. I've had a couple other machines that claimed dosing, yet they all seemed pretty random. This one actually works and it works reliably. Before you think this is a feature you can live without, consider this: With non-dosing machines, you need to use a shot glass or some other way of eye-balling when to stop, then put into final glass for mixing. But, with dosing, you can punch up a double shot right into the final cup, and it gets it right. Every Time. How cool is That??? Very Cool!

The only things I wish they did different:

1. I wish the machine was quieter.

2. I wish they had a non-pressurized portafilter basket option.

But, when you compare that to the plus side, it's a no brainer: Buy This Machine!

Not having to temperature surf, not having gooey cleanup, having a cup warmer that actually works, AUTO POWER DOWN, dosing, etc., all for the price of a used Gaggia? Just click "Add to Cart" already!

I read that another reviewer had trouble with her machine. Hopefully it was the exception and not the rule. It comes with a 3-year warranty, so I figure that I have reasonable protection should anything break.

This is my first espresso machine and I did a lot of shopping and read a ton of reviews before deciding to buy. I was nervous about buying it because there were zero reviews at the time. However, I loved the look, liked the feature set, and believed in the Cuisinart brand. I have had the machine for a week and have used it at least once each day. So far I am extremely pleased.

I had considered the DeLonghi EC155, which gets good ratings and is reasonably priced. However, it requires the operator to guess or measure the volume of espresso. I am terrible at guessing the volumes of liquids, so I liked that this machine has buttons that make a pre-set (or programmable) volume of coffee. It turns out that this is a great feature and really frees me to multi-task. In the mornings, I hit the power button, and by the time I fill the portafilter the machine is ready to brew. I hit the brew button and mix up my meal replacement shake. After the coffee is finished, I hit the steam button and pour the milk for frothing. It takes less than 30 seconds to froth and steam the milk, so I am pleased with its power. I have never run out of steam and was able to make a nice foam with very little practice. I can make my breakfast shake and a cappuccino or latte in under 10 minutes with the above process. Not bad for an amateur.

Overall I am very pleased with the machine and am having a great time with it. I would recommend it based on my experience thus far.

Buy Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel Now

This unit is nicely put together, with its stainless steel finish. It definitely has a quality feel to it. I had no problem with turning the steam knob, as others have mentioned.

The machine makes excellent espresso, both in semi-automatic and manual modes. Good crema, excellent taste.

Where this machine fall short, though, is in steam volume. It takes a long time to froth the milk, and getting it right is very hit or miss. At first I thought there was more to the art of frothing than I'd assumed, and I kept working on my technique. The best approach, I found, was to include a couple of ice cubes in the milk, to keep the temperature down as the froth built up. Results were barely satisfactory.

I have since discovered that a stronger steam flow is the key to frothing effectively. I'm now using a fully automatic DeLonghi machine that makes excellent espresso and has a far more powerful flow of steam than this Cuisinart (at least the one I had).

If espresso is your thing and you don't mind the manual grinding, tamping, and brewing, this is a great machine. If frothing milk is part of your favorite drink, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel Here

This machine is amazing! Makes great expresso! I bought this machine to replace a Breville that I was not completely happy with, as it made weak espresso and I needed to turn a knob to brew the correct amount. NOT WITH THIS MACHINE! Push a button and walk away, come back to a single or double shot. The water tank is easy to refill (I use a clean syrup bottle to refill it, instead of removing it). The frothing knob is hard to turn at first, but upon the 3rd or 4th use, it is fine. I do not find the frothing wand to be too low or drippy, after all it swivels over the drip tray, duh!!! Looks great on the counter, large cup warming surface, truly stainless, not painted plastic, like some of the Breville is. A++++++

Want Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel Discount?

I did a lot of research and read a ton of reviews of different espresso machines before buying the Cuisinart EM-200. This machine works excellently, but you have to make sure that you read the instructions (or watch the included instructional DVD). Here's a couple things that will help you make sure that you brew great espresso with this machine, which is especially easy to do once you get the knack of it!:

1. Make sure that you use good quality water so that you're espresso tastes as great as possible. If you're water is chlorinated or has a lot of dissolved minerals or metals, then you should probably run it through a Brita, Pur, Zero, or some other filter.

2. Make sure that the water tank is seated well so it activates the spring valve on the tank otherwise you will not get any water into the machine. Also, if the tank is not seated properly, it could potentially leak. However, I have never had any problems with mine.

3. Think carefully about what coffee you are using. Lots of people seem to use "espresso roast" coffee, but then complain about the lack of crema production. Crema production is partly a function of the roast of the coffee. Many European espresso shops use medium roasts (sometimes called a "city roast"), which tend to yield a better crema. It's your coffee, of course, but you might want to keep this in mind before purchasing espresso, French, or Italian roasts for your espresso maker.

4. Make sure that your espresso grind is very fine and even, if you're not using espresso pods (I rarely use them). It's tough to get a good, consistently fine grind with a blade grinder so you'll probably want to use a bur grinder. There are a bunch of good ones out there for around $25-$50.

5. You'll want to use 13 grams of ground espresso for a 1.5 fluid ounce (the "single serving" standard brew on the EM-200), 17 grams if you're going to brew a double shot (2 fluid ounces ), and 25.5 grams if you're going to brew 3 fluid ounces (the "double serving" standard brew on the EM-200). You can use the combo tamper/measurer that comes with the machine, but because espresso can compress *very* easily, it's better to weigh it for the sake of consistency.

6. Make sure that you tamp your coffee down well. The combo tamper/measurer is a little hard to give ground espresso the right pressure, so I use a stainless steel tamper to tamp to 40 lbs. of pressure. (The instructions with the EM-200 are not very specific on the pressure, but 40 lbs. of pressure yields good results for me with this machine.) I place the portafilter on a kitchen towel and then tamp the coffee so as not to damage the portafilter.

7. If the EM-200 is starting cold, it can take a minute or so to heat up. I usually fire it up before measuring, grinding, and tamping the coffee. This way it is ready to go as soon as possible.

8. Either select the manual, pre-programmed single or double serving, or the programmed serving and brew your espresso! (I know right, finally!) On my machine with properly tamped espresso, the pre-programmed 1.5 fl. oz. and 3.0 fl. oz. buttons were spot on and yielded those exact amounts. (I measured them in a graduated beaker.) If your yields or steam production declines over time, it could be due to mineral buildup in your machine. You can run a mineral cleaning product through your machine. They are cheap to get and easy to find on Amazon.com or your local Bed, Bath, and Beyond, for example.

9. If you're frothing milk for your espresso, you'll want to hit the steam button right after your pulling your espresso shot so the machine builds steam as quickly as possible. Once the steam button indicates it is ready, start the steam over the draining grate on the machine (in case any water comes out). After you see good steam coming out, move your milk pitcher into position and heat your milk to around 160°-170° F. You'll probably want to use a frothing thermometer, which are pretty cheap ($5-10) to get.

10. Pour your milk and spoon your frothed milk into your espresso (if you're using it) and you're all set!

Cleaning the machine is easy. I clean the portafilter, steaming wand, and drip tray by hand since it's easy and far less harsh than the dishwasher.

I've read reviews of this machine and think that probably 90% of the complaints about this machine are due to "operator error" and people really not knowing what they are doing, in my opinion. This machine works great when you use it properly! :-)

This machine is definitely worth the money and if you're looking for a semi-automatic machine, then I would recommend this one!

Thanks!

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